Dozens of parrots are missing and feared stolen from a rescue and sanctuary in Washington state, according to NBC affiliate KING5. Bob Dawson, owner of the Macaw Rescue and Sanctuary in Carnation, reported that more than 40 of his feathered friends went missing from their enclosures over the weekend.
"I just had a piece of me just ripped out, and it’s very tough," Dawson told KING5, adding that he suspects that sometime between Friday night and Sunday afternoon, an intruder stole the birds in an attempt to sell them and cash in. Dawson noticed doors at certain bird enclosures were open, and there were no signs of natural predators.
The market value of the missing birds — which include Senegal parrots, Meyer's parrots, and red-bellied parrots, among others — is likely between $8-10,000. Dawson said his focus now is on seeing his missing birds returned home.
"No questions asked, just bring them back," he said. The sanctuary provides shelter for more than 600 birds, according to its website.